You've had plenty of time to play with the two new versions of Pokémon; now it's time to get serious. The 2011 Pokémon Video Game Championship series kicks off next month, with fans across the U.S. and Europe gathering to prove they have what it takes to be the very best in Pokémon Black and White.

As I discovered last year, the Pokémon Video Game Championships are a big deal, bringing families together and then tearing them apart in the fiery heat of battle. Now a whole new roster of Pokémon enters the ring as Black and White become the focus for this year's festivities.